The centre of a Suffolk town came to a standstill this afternoon after the emergency services were called to the aid of man who had become trapped in a church crypt.

Police, a fire crew and an ambulance arrived at St Peters in Sudbury at around 3.50pm after reports that a man, aged 69, had fallen 7ft down the stairs of the church and into the crypt below. It is believed he has broken his collarbone and because of the injury, it was difficult to move him.

Police shut King Street and East Street in the centre of the town, so the fire engine and ambulance could park up close to the church.

The air ambulance was also called but was not needed after the man was freed by fire crew and taken to hospital by land ambulance.